Tim Tebow clearly outplayed Brady Quinn in the Broncos' final preseason game Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals.

It would seem to follow, then, that Tebow won the right to stand first in line behind starting quarterback Kyle Orton when the Broncos open their season Sept. 12 against the Oakland Raiders in a Monday night game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Then again, Quinn outproduced Tebow, by a substantial margin, in the first two preseason games.

With apologies to Orton, people want to know: Who's No. 2? If all goes well for the Broncos, Orton will continue his fine play and stay healthy, the Broncos will win more than they lose and the No. 2 quarterback, whoever he is, won't take a snap this season.

No matter. People still want to know if the No. 2 quarterback is Tebow or Quinn. Check that. People want to know whether Tebow is No. 2 or 3. Will Tebow and Quinn themselves go into the Raiders' game not knowing who's No. 2?

"I don't know," Tebow said after the Broncos' 26-7 loss to the Cardinals in which he accounted for his team's points with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Eron Riley. "I've never gone through something like this before, so I'm not really sure."

John Fox has been no help in solving the mystery. The Broncos' coach has to keep his fans guessing because he doesn't want the Raiders or any other NFL opponent knowing. A defensive coordinator by trade, Fox believes a different set of strategies will be used in stopping Quinn or Tebow.

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"I have mentioned that we will more than likely not name a 2 or 3, because I believe it's a competitive issue," Fox said.

Long term, it would make sense to push Tebow along because both Orton and Quinn are free agents after this season. Tebow will make $6.7 million this year (he has already collected $6.28 million in salary advance), and will then have three more years left on his contract.

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos scrambles with the football during the preseason NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 26-7. (Getty Images North America | Christian Petersen)

Then again, No. 1 on all lists of long-term NFL plans is to win now. Quinn is the more conventional, and experienced, quarterback. He has some mobility, but he plays from the pocket. He played well in the first two preseason games, completing 18-of-30 passes for 250 yards and leading the team to 24 points in roughly three quarters of play.

He appeared so far ahead in the competition for No. 2 quarterback that Quinn didn't play in the third preseason game against Seattle because Fox wanted to give the younger Tebow some playing time.

Quinn also started and played the entire first half in the final preseason game against the Cardinals, a segment that traditionally serves as a final tune-up for top reserves.

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Quinn and his No. 2 offense, though, didn't have it Thursday. Two of his passes were dropped early, the offensive line was getting pushed around and Quinn seemed to force throws as he went along.

"I just got done looking at the film," Quinn said Friday. "And I've moved on."

Tebow also struggled through his first three series Thursday. When he took charge of the huddle for his fourth series with 4:33 remaining, Tebow had guided his offensive unit to four field goals and zero touchdowns in the preseason.

Given one more chance, Tebow delivered. A scrambler who can improvise to the point of chaos, Tebow came through with perhaps his best performance from the passing pocket since he became the Broncos' first-round pick in the 2010 draft.

He calmly, yet daringly, threw a 26-yard deep touch pass across the field to D'Andre Goodwin.

Later, Tebow converted a third-and-10 with a completion to Riley. Then Tebow, who always has been a better-than-average deep-ball thrower, tossed a perfect strike to Riley for the Broncos' touchdown.

Tebow at least has pushed Quinn for the No. 2 spot. Whether he has surpassed Quinn is to be never announced by Fox.

"I just worry about what I can control," Tebow said. "I've gone out there every day with a great attitude, great effort and great work ethic. If I do that, I know I'll improve every day, and I'm not worried about what everybody else is saying."

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